Firewood processor

Abstract

A wood processor is disclosed for cutting a log into a series of shorter lengths and subsequently splitting the shorter lengths into individual pieces of firewood or the like. The processor includes a carriage for receiving the log. Clamps engage the log from both sides to secure it in the carriage which advances the log into contact with a plurality of parallel rotating saws. After the carriage is retracted a pusher rod moves the cut log pieces along an axis onto a plurality of cradle members, one cradle supporting each log section. The cradle members are tilted to dump the log sections alternately onto opposite sides of the axis of log movement. The logs dumped from the cradles are fed to a plurality of individual hydraulically operated log splitters.

Having described our invention, we claim: 
     
       1. In a log processor including means for advancing cut log sections along an axis and a plurality of splitters spaced transversely of said axis, the improvement comprising feed means for feeding said log sections to said splitters, said feed means comprise: a plurality of cradles disposed along said axis;   each of said cradles comprising a trough member for receiving one of said log sections;   first and said shafts disposed beneath said cradles and extending parallel to said axis;   means pivotably supporting said trough member on one of said shafts;   means tilting said trough member away from the second shaft to dump a log section therefrom; and   abutment means carried by said trough member for engaging the second of said shafts.   
     
     
       2. The feed means of claim 1 in which said plurality of cradles comprises a first group of cradles and a second group of cradles, said first group of cradles being pivotably mounted upon said first shaft and said second group of cradles being mounted upon said second shaft. 
     
     
       3. The feed means of claim 2 in which the cradles of said first group of cradles and the cradles of said second group are alternately disposed along said axis. 
     
     
       4. The feed means of claim 1 in which said means for tilting said trough member comprises a hydraulic cylinder and a ram transverse to said axis, said ram being connected to said trough member.